We are on the cusp of a new era in our quest to become an interplanetary civilization. Our Living in Space session offers presentations covering a broad range of topics related to humans living and working in space. Some of the finest thinkers offer their expertise and insight into transforming our dreams into reality by achieving these lofty goals. Past presentations have covered topics related to psychological issues, including the latest research findings regarding, the effects of AI psychotherapy, aesthetics, color, light, and music on the human psyche. Medical research considerations are often on the agenda, and have included information related to astronaut training, radiation, gravity, and genetic modification. Frequently findings and reports from both earth-based analog and real off-world missions on Mars, such as the Perseverance Rover Mission, are presented by leaders in those fields. Typically we close our session with a lively and engaging panel on a timely topic of interest. Audience participation is welcome.
Expect to come away with greater appreciation of this, humans living in space, our most challenging and ambitious objective to date. Our future is filled with limitless possibilities!
Living in Space Session Co-Chairs Info
Dr. Sherry Bell
Dean of Psychology, Kepler Space University
Dr. Sherry E. Bell currently serves as the Dean of Psychology at Kepler Space University, where she specializes in Industrial/Organizational Psychology. She earned her B.S. in Psychology from California State University, Stanislaus, and both her M.S. and Ph.D. from Capella University. Alongside her academic role, Dr. Bell is the CEO of Advanced Personality-Based Consulting and the Assistant Secretary at the National Space Society.
Dr. Bell maintains a strong presence in the space advocacy community, underscored by her avid support for the Space Settlement Movement. From 2005 to 2009, she served as a Senior Leadership Advisor for the Aerospace Technology Working Group. In addition to her leadership roles, Dr. Bell is well-known for her contributions to space conferences, particularly as the host of the “Living in Space” track at the annual International Space Development Conference. Her expertise in the field is further evidenced by her numerous articles and chapters, her role as the editor of “Living in Space: Cultural and Social Dynamics, Opportunities, and Challenges in Permanent Space Habitats,” and the receipt of two research grants.
Dr. Bell’s professional endeavors also extend to private practice, where she provides executive coaching and works with an M.D. on weight loss issues. Her diverse expertise and involvement in both psychology and space science reflect her multifaceted career and her significant contributions to these fields.
Dr. Sherry Bell
Dean of Psychology, Kepler Space University
Dr. Sherry E. Bell currently serves as the Dean of Psychology at Kepler Space University, where she specializes in Industrial/Organizational Psychology. She earned her B.S. in Psychology from California State University, Stanislaus, and both her M.S. and Ph.D. from Capella University. Alongside her academic role, Dr. Bell is the CEO of Advanced Personality-Based Consulting and the Assistant Secretary at the National Space Society.
Dr. Bell maintains a strong presence in the space advocacy community, underscored by her avid support for the Space Settlement Movement. From 2005 to 2009, she served as a Senior Leadership Advisor for the Aerospace Technology Working Group. In addition to her leadership roles, Dr. Bell is well-known for her contributions to space conferences, particularly as the host of the “Living in Space” track at the annual International Space Development Conference. Her expertise in the field is further evidenced by her numerous articles and chapters, her role as the editor of “Living in Space: Cultural and Social Dynamics, Opportunities, and Challenges in Permanent Space Habitats,” and the receipt of two research grants.
Dr. Bell’s professional endeavors also extend to private practice, where she provides executive coaching and works with an M.D. on weight loss issues. Her diverse expertise and involvement in both psychology and space science reflect her multifaceted career and her significant contributions to these fields.
Alla Malko, PhD
NSS Awards Committee
After graduating from the Moscow Institute of Energy with a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering, Dr. Malko started her professional career in Institute of Nuclear Research of Science Academy in the former Soviet Union. Later she married and moved to the Dominican Republic, where she became a Physics professor at Catholic University of Madre and Maestra. Her second professional career was in Oriental Medicine and Acupuncture after earning a PhD in Oriental Medicine from American Liberty University and completing postgraduate studies in Korea, China, Japan and Russia. Dr. Malko was a teacher and a supervisor at the Eastern School of Acupuncture and Traditional Medicine in Montclair, NJ for 14 years, and a visiting lecturer at the Institute for Complementary and Alternative Medicine at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. Dr. Malko is a founder of Traditional and High-Tech Acupuncture LLC, a successful health care business in New Jersey.
From a very young age Dr. Malko was fascinated with astronomy and space travel, to which she dedicated a large part of her free time. In the United State she joined the Planetary, Mars, and the National Space Societies, where she is an active member and sponsor.
Dr. Malko is a world traveler and scuba diver. She has visited all continents of planet Earth and declared that her next step is Mars. She already has Zero G experience with Zero G flight from Florida, where she successfully applied the natural healing power of acupressure to help with nausea in Zero G conditions.
Alla Malko, PhD
NSS Awards Committee
After graduating from the Moscow Institute of Energy with a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering, Dr. Malko started her professional career in Institute of Nuclear Research of Science Academy in the former Soviet Union. Later she married and moved to the Dominican Republic, where she became a Physics professor at Catholic University of Madre and Maestra. Her second professional career was in Oriental Medicine and Acupuncture after earning a PhD in Oriental Medicine from American Liberty University and completing postgraduate studies in Korea, China, Japan and Russia. Dr. Malko was a teacher and a supervisor at the Eastern School of Acupuncture and Traditional Medicine in Montclair, NJ for 14 years, and a visiting lecturer at the Institute for Complementary and Alternative Medicine at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. Dr. Malko is a founder of Traditional and High-Tech Acupuncture LLC, a successful health care business in New Jersey.
From a very young age Dr. Malko was fascinated with astronomy and space travel, to which she dedicated a large part of her free time. In the United State she joined the Planetary, Mars, and the National Space Societies, where she is an active member and sponsor.
Dr. Malko is a world traveler and scuba diver. She has visited all continents of planet Earth and declared that her next step is Mars. She already has Zero G experience with Zero G flight from Florida, where she successfully applied the natural healing power of acupressure to help with nausea in Zero G conditions.
Haroon Oqab
Co-Founder and President, Kepler Space University
Haroon B. Oqab is the Co-Founder and President of Kepler Space University, whose mission is to benefit society and advance human knowledge and expertise. The University is dedicated to the expansion of human civilization from Earth to Space, and is committed to discovery, preservation and dissemination of knowledge, educating the next generation of leaders, and the development of human space exploration. Haroon is a scientist, astronautical physicist and entrepreneur with a longstanding fascination with propulsion technologies relating to achieving interstellar distances. His main interests lay in fully integrated spacecraft design with a particular focus on propulsion engineering, space solar power, development of infrastructure supporting an interplanetary civilization, and the advancement of technology for space exploration beyond the solar system.
He is a graduate of The University of Western Ontario with Master of Engineering degrees in Mechanical and Materials Engineering (Automation Technologies and Systems) and Electrical and Computer Engineering (Robotics and Control), he also holds Bachelor of Science Honours Specializations in Kinesiology and Medical Biophysics (Physical Science). He also holds leadership positions across several prominent organizations: President of Columbiad Launch Services, CEO of Metasat, Director of Research at Space Canada, National Technical Program Manager of the Canadian Space Society and is a member of the Space Power Committee of the International Astronautical Federation, Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada, and Co-Chair of the Education and Outreach Committee of the International Academy of Astronautics Permanent Committee for Space Solar Power.
Haroon Oqab
Co-Founder and President, Kepler Space University
Haroon B. Oqab is the Co-Founder and President of Kepler Space University, whose mission is to benefit society and advance human knowledge and expertise. The University is dedicated to the expansion of human civilization from Earth to Space, and is committed to discovery, preservation and dissemination of knowledge, educating the next generation of leaders, and the development of human space exploration. Haroon is a scientist, astronautical physicist and entrepreneur with a longstanding fascination with propulsion technologies relating to achieving interstellar distances. His main interests lay in fully integrated spacecraft design with a particular focus on propulsion engineering, space solar power, development of infrastructure supporting an interplanetary civilization, and the advancement of technology for space exploration beyond the solar system.
He is a graduate of The University of Western Ontario with Master of Engineering degrees in Mechanical and Materials Engineering (Automation Technologies and Systems) and Electrical and Computer Engineering (Robotics and Control), he also holds Bachelor of Science Honours Specializations in Kinesiology and Medical Biophysics (Physical Science). He also holds leadership positions across several prominent organizations: President of Columbiad Launch Services, CEO of Metasat, Director of Research at Space Canada, National Technical Program Manager of the Canadian Space Society and is a member of the Space Power Committee of the International Astronautical Federation, Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada, and Co-Chair of the Education and Outreach Committee of the International Academy of Astronautics Permanent Committee for Space Solar Power.
Living in Space Speakers
Erik Seedhouse
Associate Professor, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Presentation Title: The Cloning Frontier: Redefining Risk in Long-Duration Space Exploration
Erik Seedhouse is a professor in Spaceflight Operations at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He holds pilot, scuba, and sky-diving licenses and in his spare time works as an astronaut instructor for the International Institute of Astronautical Sciences, a film consultant to Hollywood, a professional speaker, triathlon coach, author, and science advisor to the Proteus Ocean Group. He regularly ventures into the mountains and has reached the summits of Kilimanjaro, Aconcagua, Elbrus, Rainier, Island Peak, Denali, and in 2022 the South Summit of Everest. He has written 30+ books on the subject of crewed spaceflight and divides his spare time between his second home in Norway and Slovenia.
Erik Seedhouse
Associate Professor, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Presentation Title: The Cloning Frontier: Redefining Risk in Long-Duration Space Exploration
Erik Seedhouse is a professor in Spaceflight Operations at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He holds pilot, scuba, and sky-diving licenses and in his spare time works as an astronaut instructor for the International Institute of Astronautical Sciences, a film consultant to Hollywood, a professional speaker, triathlon coach, author, and science advisor to the Proteus Ocean Group. He regularly ventures into the mountains and has reached the summits of Kilimanjaro, Aconcagua, Elbrus, Rainier, Island Peak, Denali, and in 2022 the South Summit of Everest. He has written 30+ books on the subject of crewed spaceflight and divides his spare time between his second home in Norway and Slovenia.
Maria Soldatova
High School Student, Thomas S. Wootton High School
Presentation Title: A Crewed Helicopter For Titan
Maria Soldatova is a high school senior at Thomas S. Wootton High School in Rockville, Maryland. She has always been interested in space and attended Parkland Magnet Middle School for Aerospace Technology, an aerospace-focused middle school. She is aiming to become a data scientist in an aerospace field.
Maria Soldatova
High School Student, Thomas S. Wootton High School
Presentation Title: A Crewed Helicopter For Titan
Maria Soldatova is a high school senior at Thomas S. Wootton High School in Rockville, Maryland. She has always been interested in space and attended Parkland Magnet Middle School for Aerospace Technology, an aerospace-focused middle school. She is aiming to become a data scientist in an aerospace field.
